There have been numerous protests over the years, with workers pleading for a pay rise and others going on strike as they show their support to others in the community.
We have delved into the archive to rediscover these eye-catching snaps of south Essex residents heading onto the picket line to ensure their voices were heard.
Your favourite local newspaper was even hampered by a protest back in the 1970s.
A national strike in May 1973 resulted in the printers being out of bounds and the Echo was unable to produce a newspaper for its avid readers.
Demonstration - members of the Civil and Public Servants’ Association in Basildon town centre
As a result, newspaper boys were left without work for the day.
Our images also show nurses campaigning for a pay rise and bakery staff refusing to work after a controversial sacking.
Drive-by protest - nurse Frances Parker campaigns for a pay rise in 1982
No bread today - Barton’s Bakery staff went on a 24-hour strike following a controversial sacking in 1983
On strike for your benefit - Department of Health and Social Security staff in Southend in 1985
Smiling strikers - civil servants Kim Wallace and Margaret O’Regan on the picketline in Southend in 1979
Read more:
- Southend Airport has seen it all over the years - but is it world’s oldest?
- What Canvey looked like from the sky between 1970s and '90s
Show of hands - Basildon Social Security staff go on strike in September 1982
Drivers’ strike - Eastern National employees at Victoria House Corner garage, in Hadleigh
Picket line - a protest outside offices in Basildon in 1973
Pass - a gritting van is let past by striking Basildon Council workers in 1979
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